Dawn Staley and Cori Close Make History in Title Game, but Both Say the Work Is Far From Over
UCLA's Cori Close and South Carolina's Dawn Staley felt the significance of two women coaching in the national title game — but there's more work to do.
Dawn Staley and Cori Close stood on the biggest stage in college basketball, two women facing each other in the national championship game. The moment was historic, but both coaches were quick to point out that a single milestone does not mean the mission is complete.
South Carolina's Staley and UCLA's Close shared a mutual appreciation for what their presence in the title game represented — a visible, undeniable proof point that women belong at the pinnacle of the sport as leaders, not just players. Yet both were careful not to let the symbolism overshadow the systemic challenges that remain.
Staley, who has built South Carolina into a dynasty and serves as a standard-bearer for Black women in coaching, acknowledged the weight of the moment while keeping her eyes fixed on broader progress. For her, representation in one game is meaningful, but sustained representation across coaching staffs, front offices, and athletic departments is the real goal.
Close echoed that sentiment, noting that the path to this moment was paved by countless women who fought for opportunities that were too often withheld. She expressed hope that the image of two female head coaches battling for a national title would inspire young girls and prompt athletic programs to rethink who they hire and elevate.
Both coaches pointed to the persistent disparity in head coaching opportunities for women in college athletics. Despite the record-breaking popularity of women's basketball — fueled in part by stars like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese — the number of women leading high-major programs remains disproportionately low compared to their male counterparts.
The next mountain, as both Staley and Close framed it, is ensuring this title game is not an anomaly but a new standard. That means investment, intentionality, and institutional change at every level of collegiate sport. The spotlight of March Madness offers a rare chance to push that conversation forward, and neither coach intends to let it fade quietly.